Dr. Gerald Murray

Dr. Gerald D. Murray was born in Louisville, Kentucky and raised in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. As a child, he developed a love for country music while growing up with his uncle, who was a walking encyclopedia of country music.

Murray's career in the music business began in 1978, when he began to travel with country music artist, Hank Williams Jr on concert tours. Murray became associated with Williams' manager, Mr. James R. Smith, and acquired his early knowledge about the music industry and artist management from Mr. Smith. In 1979, Smith made an offer to sign Williams' management over to Murray, at which point Murray started up his own music company. Shortly before Murray took the reins of Williams' personal artist management, Williams had a Top 10 hit in May 1979 with the song, "Family Tradition," on Elektra Records/Curb Records. After the success of Williams' career path setting smash hit among other reasons, Smith decided to continue forward managing Williams.

However, by the recommendation of Mr. J.R. Smith, another door opened for Murray. He took the reins of management of country music legend George Jones' career from 1981 through 1984.

After his departure from Jones, Murray took some time off from the music business to enter the ring of professional kickboxing, to attend college where he earned a Master's Degree and Doctor of Business Administration, as well as establishing a close relationship and friendship with, Vern Gosdin.

To define the connection between Gosdin and Murray, in the early days of Murray's management of George Jones, one of his first decisions with regard to concert touring was to hire an opening music act for the George Jones shows. Murray considered several country music artists, eventually contacting Gosdin about filling the slot, because Murray thought Jones and Gosdin would be a great combination of country music talent for presentation to concert audiences. Gosdin accepted the opportunity, and was contractually signed by Murray to perform on the George Jones concert tours.

In the year 2000, Murray became Gosdin's personal talent manager and financial manager, returning Dr. Murray to the national spotlight.

For nine years, Murray took Gosdin's country music show from coast to coast, sometimes performing two shows per day, as well as Gosdin making television appearances and multiple performances on the revered Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville, Tennessee. Gosdin topped the country music charts with a string of Number 1 and Top 10 hits including, "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)," "Do You Believe Me Now," "Set 'Em Up Joe,” "Is It Raining at Your House,” and "Chiseled in Stone." In 2005, Gosdin and Murray attended the Alabama Music Hall of Fame ceremony, where Gosdin had the honor of becoming an inductee.

Gosdin and Murray had built a solid music business relationship together, and after their years of inseparable friendship, they considered their personal relationship as one of family. During the seventh year of Murray's management of Gosdin, which was two years prior to Gosdin's death, Dr. Murray authored a book titled, True Life Stories About 'The Voice', Vern Gosdin.

The content of the book contains Murray's personal stories, memories, and recollections of time spent with Vern Gosdin as his friend and personal manager, including insights into Gosdin's year's of travels across the country on concert tours. These stories and insights won't be read anywhere else. Also in the book Dr. Murray shares many of his personal photos of Gosdin and others during their travels together.

Before Gerald Murray Music published the book, Gosdin and Dr. Murray agreed upon dedicating the book to George Jones and to include stories about shared experiences with him, because Jones was not only a great friend to both of them, their work with Jones was a catalyst for both of their careers.

In 2007, Murray received a 'Country Publication of the Year' award from The Alabama Country & Gospel Music Association, presented to Murray by Jo Anne Johnson, then president of ACGMA.

Known as "The Voice," Gosdin was considered country music royalty among his fans and peers, and was one of the most influential artists and voices in the history of country music. Murray was a part of Vern Gosdin's life for thirty years and referred to Gosdin as a father, brother and a friend.

As well as being an author, for over four decades Dr. Gerald Murray remains professionally involved in the country music business at many levels. From merchandise promoter, to business and booking agent, to personal artist and financial management, he has marked the successful path of celebrities, country music and gospel music recording artists over his continuing career. Some of those artists are Doug Stone, Stella Parton, Ashton Shepherd, Paulette Carlson, and Zac Hacker.